photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB
Animal rights supporters outside the courthouse in
Santa Rosa on the morning of October 25th, 2023.

A jury continues deliberation in the nearly two-month-long trial of an animal rights activist in Sonoma County Superior Court.

There will be at least one more day in court for the activist on trial for trespass and conspiracy.

On Wednesday, jurors asked two questions seeking legal clarifications related to the case, but a verdict was not reached.

The defendant's committed group of supporters, mostly associated with the group Direct Action Everywhere, were once again camped out in front of the court, holding signs and standing in wait for the trial’s outcome.

The defendant is charged with two counts of felony conspiracy and two counts of misdemeanor trespass for his role in protests in 2018 and 2019 at Sunrise Farm and Reichardt Duck Farm outside Petaluma.

He could face up to seven years in prison if found guilty on all counts.

The prosecution and defense, who is self-representing, gave closing remarks Tuesday.

The defense remarked on specific details related to the charges of trespass and conspiracy; calling into question during closing arguments whether there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal intent during organized protests at the poultry facilities, and saying to jurors that "being vegan is not a crime". The defendant closed his final remarks with warmhearted video footage of himself, and other activists leaving Sunrise Farms with so-called "rescued" chickens, calling on jurors to believe in their hearts.

In its closing remarks, the prosecution focused on the defendant's "ideological alignment" as they called it, and Direct Action Everywhere's absolutist views on animal rights and liberation, and veganism. Prosecutors also spoke about the group's goal to "end animal farming in the U.S." by 2040.